Jamaica College
Jamaica College (Dark Blues), (Griffins), (JC) (Fervet), (One College) has had a varied and interesting history, one of continuous transformation over more than two centuries of service to Jamaican students. The Jamaica College Commission was established in 1789, however Jamaica College, the school first opened its doors in 1795, as The Drax Free School in the vestry of the St. Ann's Bay Courthouse in the parish of St. Ann. It was named for Charles Drax, a St. Ann planter who had left an endowment of over 5,000 pounds sterling for the establishment of a free school in his will, some years before. In 1806, Walton Pen in St. Ann was purchased to house the school, and it was renamed The Jamaica Free School.
FIRST UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
In September 1890, a college, then known as University College, was opened in connection with the school. In 1902, roughly a century after the endowment of the Drax Free School, the Jamaica High School and the University College were amalgamated under the name Jamaica College. This made JC the first University College of Jamaica, long before the founding of the University of the West Indies in the mid 20th Century. The main objective of the early Jamaica College was to prepare potential University Scholars.
Football History :
Jamaica College has arguably the most successful High School Football programme in Jamaica and the the Caribbean. They boast 30 Manning Cups, 23 Olivier Shields, 3 Walker Cups and 1 Super Cup.
School motto is "Fervet opus in campis". In full, it is "Floreat collegium, fervet opus in campis". The complete Latin motto is literally translated as "May the college flourish, work is burning in the field".
Meet The Captain
Michael ‘Dunga’ McDonald
Jamaica College
Michael ‘Dunga’ McDonald is a natural born winner, a streak that followed him thru’ high school and college. He helped Jamaica College (JC) to the Colts title in 1979, a year after enrollment and was a fixture on the Manning Cup roster for three seasons, 1982-84.
JC lost the Manning Cup final in ’84, however ‘Dunga’ McDonald’s outstanding season earned him a spot on the All-City Schoolboy selection and a spot on the National Juvenile team as well. At the club level, he suited up for Jones Town in the ‘minors’ and Real Mona in the major league.
On scholarship at Wright State University (WSU), USA, ‘Mighty Mike’ was the anchor on a team that for three seasons, 1985-88, posted the best record in the conference. His rewards – All Mideast First Team selection, team MVP in 1987 and a listing on the WSU Walk of Fame.
The missing accolade for him and this JC unit, the Jamaica Alumni Football Tournament (JAFT) trophy. Will this be the year?